Market Trends of Global Genitourinary Drugs Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Genitourinary Drugs Market according to our research experts:
Genital Herpes is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause blisters and open sores (lesions) in the genital area but can also be asymptomatic. Herpes simplex virus II is the cause of most cases of genital herpes.
According to a WHO March 2022 update, an estimated 491 million people worldwide aged 15 to 49 (13%) have herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 infection annually. According to the same source, an estimated 3.7 billion people under 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection globally. Also, according to a CDC 2021 update, there were an estimated 572 thousand new genital herpes infections in the United States in a single year in 2021. HSV-2 infection is more common among women than among men. The high burden of this disease is expected to propel the drug demand to meet the unmet treatment requirements, which are expected to expedite the segment's growth during the forecast period.
The strategic initiatives adopted by market players for the development of advanced genital herpes drugs are expected to boost the segment's growth. For instance, in July 2021, AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG initiated Phase III development that will assess orally administered pritelivir for the treatment of drug-resistant mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in the immunocompromised. The rising clinical trials are expected to boost segment growth during the forecast period.
Moreover, the high R&D investments by the government and private entities in the STIs are further expected to have a significant impact on the market. For instance, as per the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the investment for sexually transmitted infection research in the United States in 2021 was USD 404 million. More research is expected to spur the launch of new products in the segment propelling the market growth.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over The Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a significant share of the genitourinary drugs market due to the high prevalence of genitourinary diseases, greater awareness, and the presence of robust healthcare infrastructure in the region.
According to an article published in the Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease in April 2022, glomerulonephritis (GN) is a major cause of kidney failure and accounts for 20% of incident cases of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Canada annually.
Furthermore, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 2021, in the United States, approximately 30 million men had erectile dysfunction (ED). Additionally, a research study published in Canadian Urology Association Journal in October 2021 stated that erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in Canada. The study also reported that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experienced ED of varying degrees of severity, and the prevalence of ED increases by about 10% per decade. Thus, the region's high burden of genitourinary diseases will increase the demand for drugs to treat such conditions, thereby boosting market growth.
Additionally, the research and development of novel antibiotics for urinary tract infections are expected to aid in market growth. For instance, in April 2022, the FDA approved the supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDAs) for Zerbaxa (ceftolozane and tazobactam) to include the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, in pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old). Thus, the approvals for various drugs used to treat genitourinary conditions in different age groups are expected to boost the market in the region over the forecast period.
